Even though many consumer markets have struggled the past few months, market research indicates the high-definition TV market continues to thrive, with Q1 sales numbers increasing 17 percent up to 7.8 million units sold.

"Amid the current economic downturn, a new wave of cocooning has hit, with recession-wary U.S. consumers eschewing travel, staying home and watching their televisions,” said Joe Abelson, iSuppli VP of displays. “However, they still are finding enough money to buy new flat-panel sets that offer superior pictures and larger sizes.”

Many consumers are targeting cheaper TVs made by value brands, with HDTV adoption rates expected to continue to increase. Around 70 percent of all TV purchases were valued at $1,000 or less, a seven percent increase from the same time in 2008.

"Despite the current economic climate, HD is on course to becoming the benchmark in television viewing," Nielsen researchers said. "As prices of HDTVs continue to fall and circumstances such as the Digital Television Transition create opportunities to further promote HD sets and services, HDTV will gain a greater foothold in U.S. television homes."

Research published at the end of last year by Nielsen indicated HDTV penetration was the highest in Washington D.C., Boston and New York City, with sporting events from the NFL and NBA still the most popular HDTV programs. At the end of last year, 23.2 percent -- around 26 million U.S. homes -- had at least one HDTV.

An increasing number of content providers are rolling out HD channels, with at least one channel, HDNet, designed specifically to handle a variety of sports programming and other content available in HD only.

Furthermore, standalone Blu-ray player sales also increased due to falling prices of the players, movies and HDTVs, the NPD Group said in a statement published a few weeks ago. A living room with a Blu-ray player and HDTV is a combination expected to help get consumers to watch more movies and HD content while avoiding other leisure activities.

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quote: the average price was around $250,these were smaller sets of course, but $500 was considered the limit the average consumer would pay for a television.

Not sure if we're all just throwing around bunk statistics or not. But the reason I said they are cheaper is because we paid about $2000 for a 32" Sony Trinitron back in the 80's which was supposed to be one of the best of its kind.

Your saying the average is about $700 for the tv set today, but what is the average size? Back 20 years ago, the average size was probably in the 27" range for that price if not more.

Your right the sets are bigger today, but people do not look a tv's as a price per unit item in general. Its the cost, now size is a factor (where have I heard that before?) but I am saying the average price for a Tv is significantly higher today than only 5 years ago. The average family will probably have fewer but large Tv's.